ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES WITHIN A GEOLOGIC AND CLIMATIC FRAMEWORK IN THE PEATLANDS OF CANAAN VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN UNITED STATES

Changes to landscapes are often framed in a geomorphological context highlighting wide ranging process-form relationships that create and re-work landforms. This perspective generally includes landscape processes in geologic and climatic time frames, with less emphasis on anthropogenic activity. Assemblage of these three mechanisms (geologic, climatic, anthropogenic) have vastly different temporal and spatial impacts, but each are important to the conceptualization and interpretation of the processes that have formed, and acted upon, the landform. Intellectualizing these processes allows an understanding that each landform is unique with its own history of geologic, climatic, and anthropogenic circumstance. Within the framework presented by this research, a deep understanding of landscape geomorphology utilized an array of investigative methods. Geologic components of this research were understood through well-documented literature review. Climatic components were compiled from soil profile data to elucidate paleoclimatic history. Anthropogenic components were gathered through extensive historic records, government documents, modern and historic aerial photography, as well as field observations and soil data. This research demonstrates fragile and unique landforms within the highland region of the Appalachian Mountains can be resilient under the pressures of capitalist and political forces that have conspired against it.